Sidemount BCD for non Tec diving

[TheHuth]

I'm still pouring in to the hundreds of options when it comes to equipment. Today I was pondering the thought on sidemount configurations. Can anyone share links that can help give a better understanding?

I've been trying to find info online, and I'm very confused. It looks like some tech divers use something thats less of a BCD, and more of a rig that carries multiple bottles. Is there such a thing as a traditional backpack style BCD, that holds a tank off to the side?

I'm going to be 38 this year, and am only getting started in SCUBA. But because I'm not 21 any more, I've already pretty much decided that things like Tec diving, cave diving, etc, are things I wont have much interest in. I just want to have fun. And the key to fun is being comfortable. If a sidemount tank is more comfortable, then its something I should be adding to my list of considerations.

Thanks,
John

 

[tbone1004]

you can make any of the "traditional" BC's work for sidemount, but that doesn't mean you would want to. Single tank sidemount is a great option for recreational diving with AL80's, especially now that it is becoming mainstream.

Can you tell us a bit more about the diving you are planning on doing as that will help to direct you towards the right rig

 

[TheHuth]

Hard to say this early on. But I can probably guess my most common dive scenarios. Beach launch from a southern california beach. Stair launch at Catalina. Or a boat launch in those same spots. I would anticipate the stair launch at Avalon being my most common situation.

Also, weight integrated would be nice.

 

[tbone1004]

ok, so if you're doing local California diving it is a little different. Sidemount is not always the easiest for beach entries, and I find that proper entries with backmount singles are much easier because it is a smaller profile to the wave. Your CoG is up higher, but because the profile is smaller, it tends to be easier for surf. With single tank sidemount you are also largely limited to AL80's for tanks which aren't necessarily bad, but because your water gets deep real fast, you are limiting yourself on the dives you can do.

I am a huge fan of sidemount, but there are places where backmount singles make more sense and I think shore diving on the west coast is certainly one of them. My honest recommendation is to call Deep Sea Supply and talk to Tobin, then drive up to Pasadena and take a look at the backplates and wings that they sell. They one-up weight integration on the stainless steel plates by having bolt on plates so you likely won't need any lead at all, and the build quality is superb. Supporting local business is never a bad thing either since all of their products are made up in Pasadena

 

[TheHuth]

Awesome, thank you for the info. I'll have to take a drive up there in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Patoux01]

Is there such a thing as a traditional backpack style BCD, that holds a tank off to the side?

Not aware of a "traditional style BCD" for sidemount, but there's definitely "rec" rigs out there... XDEEP Stealth 2.0 rec, SMS 50 from Hollis, ...

"Tec" is all and nothing, and most certainly not something to be scared of. Many people consider a simple wing to be "tec" equipment. "tec" equipment can definitely be used on "rec" dives

 

[decompression]

If I may,

There is a company based in San Diego that has excellent equipment, both Sidemount and back mount, called Unified Team diving. A lot of proving their gear takes place on la jolla, scripps, Catalina and other local sites. I've personally used sidemount often at those sites. Many people do. Checkout their website and the videos and see the benefits of the system for someone like yourself.

Unifiedteamdiving.com

Also, with respect to patoux01, neither of those bcds have enough lift for SoCal. Further the UTD bcds are made locally as well.

I use and teach many different SM rigs, feel free to ask any questions you have, cheers.

 

[DevonDiver]

There is a vast choice of sidemount rigs on the market - some better than others. Some are more suitable for warm or cold water diving, some are multi-purpose for backmount or sidemount, some suit beginners, some require expert tuition or considerable research to configure effectively...

A Comprehensive List of Current Sidemount Systems

Here is a good outline of sidemount diving... what it's about and why...

Sidemount Course Notes

Here are more articles, news and reviews on sidemount rigs...

Sidemount Diving News and Articles

 

[tbone1004]

Jay, only reason I'm not recommending sidemount here is that to dive the big tanks, you have to dive two of them, and that makes shore diving a bit more difficult, also increases the cost

 

[tursiops]

I see no advantages to you to consider sidemount, only disadvantages. The input you are getting here is from folks that exercise the advantages of sidemount, something you won't be doing, at least for a good while. I dive backmount recreationally, sidemount technically. I can't imagine comfortably choosing just one system for all kinds of diving, and sidemount would be really distasteful for recreational shore dives and going up and down steps like at Catalina.